Rooftop solar panel project coming to Gloucester plant

December 03, 2013|By Matt Sabo, msabo@dailypress.com | Daily Press

GLOUCESTER — Canon Virginia's Industrial Resource Technologies plant in the county's business park is set to become the home to more than 2,000 rooftop solar panels, making it the largest facility of its kind in the state.

The solar panels will be installed by Dominion Virginia Power as part of a program in which the company leases rooftop or ground space at commercial, industrial or public facilities for installation of solar panels, said a company spokeswoman.

The solar panels are expected to generate more than 500 kilowatts of electricity, or enough to power about 125 homes. Power generated by the $2 million project will flow to the electric grid for use by Dominion Virginia Power customers.

Construction on the project is expected to start this month, with the panels becoming operational in early 2014, according to Dominion officials

The Canon IRT plant building is owned by the Gloucester Economic Development Authority, though leasing revenue will go to Canon, said Doug Meredith, director of the Gloucester Economic Development Department.

"We are always looking for ways to help businesses work more effectively and benefit Gloucester citizens," said David Meeker, chairman of the authority. "This is a positive step for Gloucester, Canon and Dominion Virginia Power."

Ken Barker, vice president of Customer Solutions and Energy Conservation, said the solar partnership program is designed to expand Dominion's understanding of community-based solar energy by studying its impact and assessing its benefits.

"The Canon project is our largest installation to date and will enable us to evaluate the benefits of distributed generation on our system," Barker said.